Allyson Boggess
Lottery

With a slam of the kitchen door,
          she wanted me to hand over
all of my baby teeth—
          a premeditated falling-out.
All strings were attached: kite twine
          looped around molars
looped around brass knobs.
          This is no tale.
One yank and I was a rich child
          with blank gums,
and sudden fortune for my red
          aluminum penny box.

***

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